CHRIS WHEELER: Man United want Hojlund and Onana but must keep options open to stay within FFP limit
This time last year, Manchester United were embarking on a club record £220million summer spending spree under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Tyrell Malacia was already through the door, and free agent Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez weren't far behind. Brazilian duo Casemiro and Antony would follow before the transfer window closed in September.
A year on and the purse strings must feel a whole lot tighter for Ten Hag.
United are still in the market for new players. Mason Mount has been signed from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £60m and talks continue with the Italians of Inter Milan and Atalanta for goalkeeper Andre Onana and striker Rasmus Hojlund – two deals that could push the club's spending towards £150m.
Trouble is, the transfer budget is £120m thanks to Financial Fair Play restrictions which explains why United are acting with more caution than we are used to from the biggest club in English football.
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They are duty bound to balance the books so United are trying to save every penny while still delivering the players Ten Hag needs to take his team to the next level.
It's why they are bidding for Hojlund rather than Harry Kane who is out of United's reach in the £100m category.
It's why United have tried to keep David de Gea onside despite letting his contract run down, held onto Tom Heaton for another year and postponed Dean Henderson's move to Nottingham Forest while pursuing Onana.
It might smack of a club that doesn't know who will be playing in goal next season, but the reality is that United have to keep all options open as they try to operate within a tighter budget.
Cheaper goalkeeping alternatives – including Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow and
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